Al-Shaar Back in Lebanon: We Will Continue Our Path under Army’s Protection
Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek al-Shaar returned to Beirut on Tuesday evening, seven months after he had left the country for security reasons.
"I had no alternative but to return to Lebanon and after I received encouragements I decided to return because Lebanon needs everyone,” al-Shaar said upon his arrival to Rafik Hariri International Airport.
“No one should be absent from Lebanon, except for security concerns.”
He continued: “I do not want to hear words that refer to one sect or another. We, the Lebanese, will continue our path led by President Michel Suleiman and under the protection of the army.”
"As Lebanese, are message is to spread hope and peace and we wish the future would be prosperous.”
In response to questions asked by reporters at the airport, al-Shaar said Dar al-Fatwa “will not be confined by a certain opinion, man or current, and it will embrace the entire country.”
The Mufti assured that his hand is extended to everyone.
"I extend a salutation of love and appreciation to (the Beirut neighborhood of) Dahieh and I believe the security plans devise for it and for (the northern city of) Tripoli are major steps,” he said.
The northern cleric also expressed his condolences to his “brothers and people in (the North's city of) Akkar."
“I am very hopeful that the coming days will be full of hope,” he expressed.
Al-Shaar announced in December 2012 that he will not be returning to Lebanon from a trip to Europe after he has allegedly received death threats.
Earlier on Tuesday, As Safir newspaper said in a report that al-Shaar will swiftly head to his residence in Tripoli after arriving in Beirut's Rafik Hariri International airport accompanied by a security escort.
The daily said that all the security measures were taken to guarantee the Mufti's safety.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://mobile.naharnet.com/stories/en/101385 |